Project 21 Ambassador P. Rae Easley is a nationally recognized civic leader, financial professional and media hostess whose work spans public policy, international education, regulated finance and political commentary. She is known for combining technical expertise with community-grounded advocacy. P. Rae earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Hampton University and her Master of Education in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). She spent seven years as a FINRA-registered Investment Advisor at Merrill Lynch, advising clients in a highly regulated environment on wealth management, financial planning and risk analysis. This professional background informs her approach to economic policy, regulatory oversight and fiscal accountability.